Transfer of Criminal Case – Convenience of Parties and Witnesses – Petitioners, facing trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act, sought transfer of the case from Delhi to Thane – Majority of prosecution witnesses from Maharashtra – Petitioners based in Gujarat and Maharashtra – Supreme Court held that transfer would serve the ends of justice and convenience of parties and witnesses – Directed transfer to Thane [Paras 1-13].

Jurisdiction and Power of Transfer – Section 406 CrPC empowers the Supreme Court to transfer cases for the ends of justice – Convenience and expeditious trial considered – Transfer appropriate where majority of witnesses and parties are located in another jurisdiction [Paras 5-6, 8-11].

Precedent – Referenced cases on principles of fair trial and convenience – Established practice to consider location of witnesses and parties for transfer of cases – Cited cases: Abdul Nazar Madani v. State of Tamil Nadu, Capt. Amarinder Singh v. Prakash Singh Badal, Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Punjab [Paras 8-11].

Decision – Petition allowed – Case transferred from Rohini Courts, New Delhi to the Court of Special Judge, CBI Cases, Thane, Maharashtra – Directions for expeditious trial [Para 13].

Consumer Protection – Definition of Service – Appellant-company engaged in selling plots with promises of development and infrastructure – High Court held that such activities constituted 'service' under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – Supreme Court affirmed that the company's obligations to develop the plots and provide infrastructure made it a 'service' provider and the Respondents were 'consumers' [Paras 1-7].

Legal Interpretation – Broad Definition – Consumer Protection Act, 1986 intended to be interpreted liberally in favor of consumers – Housing construction and related activities by private or statutory bodies deemed 'service' under the Act – Reference to established case law affirming this interpretation [Paras 3-7].

Nature of Transaction – Service and Sale – Transaction involved more than a simple sale of immovable property – Assurance of developed plots with specific amenities and approvals indicated provision of 'service' – Deficiency in such service accountable under consumer protection law [Para 7].

Relief for Consumers – In cases of refusal or delay in transferring title despite full payment, consumers entitled to compensation for harassment and mental agony, and direction for execution and delivery of title deeds [Para 8].

Decision – Appeals dismissed – High Court's decision upheld, affirming jurisdiction of consumer fora over the Appellant's activities [Para 10].

Criminal Law – Conviction and Sentence – Appellants convicted for murder and other offenses – Trial Court and High Court upheld convictions based on consistent eyewitness accounts, medical evidence, and motive – Supreme Court found no material contradictions or inconsistencies in key witnesses' statements – Conviction and life sentence upheld [Paras 1-13].

Credibility of Witnesses – Minor discrepancies do not undermine reliability – Statements of injured eyewitnesses (PW1 and PW2) supported by medical evidence – Supreme Court reiterated principle of reading witness statements in entirety, emphasizing overall consistency and reliability [Paras 12-13].

Medical Evidence – Consistency with Eyewitness Accounts – Multiple injuries on the deceased corroborated by medical reports – Eyewitness testimonies aligned with medical findings – Supreme Court rejected contention of inconsistency between medical evidence and witness statements [Paras 14-15].

Intention and Common Object – Culpable Homicide and Murder – Clear intent to kill established by the nature and extent of injuries, use of weapons, and premeditated assault – Supreme Court held that cumulative effect of injuries indicated intent to cause death, satisfying criteria under Section 300 IPC [Paras 18-22].

Doctrine of Altering Offense – No Justification for Reducing Charge – Supreme Court rejected plea to reduce conviction to Section 304 Part II IPC – Affirmed that collective assault with intent to kill warranted conviction under Section 302 IPC [Paras 19-23].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Conviction and life sentence under Section 302 IPC upheld [Para 24].

Public Interest Litigation – Bio-safety of GMOs – Petitioners raised concerns over the release of GMOs affecting environment and human health – Sought establishment of a protocol for bio-safety examination and a ban on GMO release without proper scientific evaluation – Supreme Court directed formation of an Expert Committee to review and recommend protocols for risk assessment and safety studies [Paras 1-6].

Expert Committee – Formation and Terms of Reference – Supreme Court constituted a Technical Expert Committee to advise on the scientific evaluation and safety protocols for GMOs – Committee to include experts in biotechnology, environmental science, genetics, toxicology, and food safety – Directed to submit a report within three months, addressing whether a ban on open field tests of GMOs is necessary and recommending protocols and conditions for field trials [Paras 2-6].

Judicial Intervention in Scientific Matters – Acknowledged the limitations of judicial review in technical and scientific matters – Relied on expert committee's evaluation to inform judicial decisions on bio-safety concerns and GMO regulations [Para 2].

Interim and Final Reports – Committee to submit an interim report on the necessity of a ban on GMO field tests and final report on comprehensive safety protocols and recommendations – Hearing and consideration of reports from various stakeholders, including national and international experts, mandated [Paras 5-6].

Decision – Formation of Technical Expert Committee ordered – Terms of reference specified – Report submission within three months – Case adjourned to 6th August 2012 [Para 6].

Criminal Law – Conviction for Murder – Appellant convicted for murder of his wife by setting her on fire – Conviction based primarily on dying declaration and corroborative witness statements – Supreme Court upheld the conviction and life sentence, rejecting the appellant's claims of fabrication and inconsistencies in prosecution evidence [Paras 1-14].

Dying Declaration – Admissibility and Credibility – Deceased's statement recorded by police constable treated as a dying declaration – Doctor certified the deceased was conscious and fit to make the statement – Dying declaration corroborated by eyewitness testimonies and medical evidence – Supreme Court affirmed that the dying declaration was a reliable piece of evidence [Paras 8-11].

Witness Credibility – Minor inconsistencies do not undermine reliability – Statements of key witnesses, despite minor discrepancies, were found consistent and credible – Supreme Court reiterated principle of reading witness statements in their entirety and emphasized overall consistency and reliability [Paras 12-13].

Medical Evidence – Consistency with Witness Accounts – Burn injuries on deceased and presence of kerosene corroborated by medical and forensic evidence – Supreme Court rejected the appellant's claims of inconsistency between medical evidence and witness statements [Paras 12-13].

Intent and Motive – Evidence of strained relationship and prior altercation – Testimonies indicated a quarrel between the appellant and deceased prior to the incident – Supreme Court found clear intent to cause death, affirming the conviction under Section 302 IPC [Paras 1-14].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Conviction and life sentence under Section 302 IPC upheld [Para 14].

Criminal Law – Conviction and Sentences – Appeals against conviction for offenses under Sections 326 and 324 IPC arising from a violent village altercation – Trial Court and High Court upheld convictions based on witness testimonies and medical evidence – Supreme Court upheld the findings and sentences, rejecting claims of unreliable evidence and procedural inconsistencies [Paras 1-15].

Witness Credibility – Minor inconsistencies do not undermine reliability – Testimonies of eyewitnesses supported initial attack details – Supreme Court reiterated principle of reading witness statements in their entirety and emphasized overall consistency and reliability [Paras 7-12].

Dying Declaration – Admissibility and Corroboration – Deceased's statement recorded before death treated as dying declaration – Supported by eyewitness testimonies and medical evidence – Supreme Court affirmed that the dying declaration was a reliable piece of evidence [Paras 9-11].

Medical Evidence – Consistency with Witness Accounts – Injuries on deceased corroborated by medical and forensic evidence – Supreme Court upheld that medical findings supported the prosecution's case of assault leading to severe injuries [Paras 12-13].

Village Factions and Motive – Evidence of strained relations and prior altercations – Testimonies indicated ongoing factional disputes leading to the incident – Supreme Court found clear intent to cause harm, affirming the convictions [Paras 2-6].

Decision – Appeals dismissed – Convictions and sentences under Sections 326 and 324 IPC upheld [Para 15].

Trust Law – Conversion of Trust Petition into Civil Suit – Appeals against High Court decision rejecting conversion of Trust OP into a civil suit – Trust OP filed under various sections of the Trusts Act and CPC for restoration and tracing of trust properties – Supreme Court upheld the rejection, noting lack of statutory provision for such conversion in the Trusts Act [Paras 1-13].

Procedural Law – Nature of Trust Petitions and Civil Suits – Trust OP cannot be construed or equated to a suit under CPC – Final order in Trust OP is an 'order' not a 'decree' – Supreme Court emphasized distinction and statutory requirements for instituting a suit through presentation of a plaint [Paras 8-11].

Statutory Interpretation – Absence of Enabling Provision – Conversion of Trust OP to civil suit not permissible without specific statutory provision – Cited lack of such provision in the Trusts Act as a basis for upholding High Court's decision – Reiterated principle from P.A. Ahammed Ibrahim v. The Food Corporation of India [Paras 10-12].

Remedy and Relief – Filing Fresh Suit – Supreme Court clarified that rejection under Order VII Rule 11 does not bar filing of a fresh suit – Provided liberty to appellants to file a fresh suit in accordance with law [Para 13].

Decision – Appeals disposed of – Trust OP cannot be converted to a civil suit – Liberty granted to file fresh suit – No order as to costs [Para 13].

Criminal Law – Conviction and Sentence – Appellant convicted for murder of his stepmother by stabbing her multiple times – Conviction based on eyewitness account, corroborative testimonies, and medical evidence – Supreme Court upheld the findings and sentence, rejecting claims of unreliable evidence and procedural inconsistencies [Paras 1-28].

Eyewitness Credibility – PW-1, the brother of the deceased, witnessed the accused fleeing the scene with a knife – His testimony was found reliable and corroborated by other evidence – Supreme Court reiterated principle that sole reliable witness's testimony can suffice for conviction [Paras 9-12, 17].

Confessional Statement – Admissibility and Recovery – Appellant's confession led to recovery of the murder weapon and blood-stained shirt – Supreme Court held that recovery under Section 27 of the Evidence Act was valid and supported conviction [Paras 13-20].

Medical Evidence – Consistency with Witness Accounts – Injuries on deceased matched the account given by eyewitnesses and medical reports – Supreme Court upheld the trial court's reliance on medical evidence to corroborate prosecution's case [Paras 19-22].

Intention and Motive – Evidence of strained relationship and financial disputes between appellant and deceased – Multiple injuries on vital parts indicated clear intent to kill – Supreme Court found motive and intent sufficiently established [Paras 2-6, 19-22].

Decision – Appeal dismissed – Conviction and life sentence under Section 302 IPC upheld [Para 28].

Consumer Protection – Jurisdiction of MRTP Commission – Petitioners challenged the MRTP Commission's order directing Respondents to handover possession of an industrial plot – MRTP Commission's order reviewed and recalled as it exceeded interim relief scope – Supreme Court upheld the review, citing jurisdiction limitations and the requirement for final adjudication on such matters [Paras 1-8].

Interim Orders – Scope and Modification – MRTP Commission's interim order directing possession handover challenged and recalled on review – Supreme Court affirmed that interim relief cannot grant final relief sought in complaints – Jurisdictional challenges to be resolved during final adjudication [Paras 5-7].

Timeliness of Review Applications – MRTP Act allows amending or revoking orders "at any time" – Review application not bound by 30-day limitation – Supreme Court upheld MRTP Commission’s jurisdiction to entertain and decide review application without time constraint [Para 6].

Final Relief and Jurisdiction – MRTP Commission's capacity to order possession handover debated – Supreme Court deferred decision, directing final adjudication to address jurisdictional validity [Para 7].

Decision – Special Leave Petitions dismissed – MRTP Commission's review decision upheld – No costs awarded [Para 8].